Mechanism for aligning LCD with frame

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for aligning an LCD with a rectangular frame in a manufacturing process is disclosed. The mechanism comprises alignment means comprising an elongate body, apertures through the body for aligning with the frame, and a flat section perpendicular to the body; a left wing coupled to and perpendicular to the alignment means and comprising a first vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a first lower recess adjacent the first vertical section and including a first horizontal portion; and a right wing coupled to and perpendicular to the alignment means and comprising a second vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a second lower recess adjacent the second vertical section and including a second horizontal portion. As such, a precise alignment of the LCD and the frame is made possible for facilitating fastening them together.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to alignment mechanisms and more particularly to a mechanism for aligning an LCD (liquid crystal display) with a frame for facilitating fastening in the manufacturing process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional mechanism for LCD alignment and fastening in the manufacturing process is shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, two elongated brackets B of L section at both sides of a rectangular LCD A. Each bracket B has two spaced apart threaded holes B1 on its horizontal section. A rectangular frame C has a rectangular central opening slightly smaller than the LCD A. The frame C further comprises two spaced nuts C1 at either side. In assembly, drive four bolts D into the threaded holes B1 and the nuts C1 for fastening the LCD A onto the central opening of the frame C.

[0003] However, the prior art alignment and fastening mechanism and is not reliable. In detail, the LCD A is subject to displacement with respect to the frame C. Thus, prior to delivery from a factory it is frequent that an employee detaches the LCD A from the frame C and reassembles the LCD A onto the frame C after manually aligning the LCD A with the frame C. This inevitably consumes precious manufacturing time and reduces yield. Further, a precise alignment of the LCD A with the frame C is not possible. Hence, the aligning mechanism is disadvantageous. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for aligning a rectangular LCD with a rectangular frame in a manufacturing process, the mechanism comprising alignment means comprising an elongate body, a plurality of apertures through the body for aligning with the frame, and a flat section perpendicular to a top surface of the body; a left wing coupled to and perpendicular to a left side of the alignment means and comprising a first vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a first lower recess adjacent the first vertical section and including a first horizontal portion; and a right wing coupled to and perpendicular to a right side of the alignment means and comprising a second vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a second lower recess adjacent the second vertical section and including a second horizontal portion. By utilizing this, a precise alignment of the LCD and the frame is made possible so as to facilitate fastening.

[0005] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional mechanism for LCD alignment and fastening in the manufacturing process.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alignment device according to the invention viewed from a top angle;

[0008]FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the alignment device viewed from a bottom angle;

[0009]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, the alignment device being shown during mounting to LCD and frame in the manufacturing process; and

[0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, the alignment device being mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown an alignment device 1 constructed in accordance with the invention. The alignment device 1 is substantially n-shaped and has an elongate flat section 12, a left wing 2, and a right wing 3 both perpendicular to the elongate flat section 12. There are three spaced apart threaded holes 11 formed through the alignment device 1. A vertical section 21 is formed on inner side of the left wing 2. The vertical section 21 is perpendicular to the elongate flat section 12. A lower recess 22 is formed adjacent the vertical section 21. The recess 22 has a vertical portion 221 and a horizontal portion 222. A threaded hole 23 is formed through the recess 22.

[0012] The right wing 3 comprises a vertical section 31 facing the vertical section 21. The vertical section 31 is also perpendicular to the elongate flat section 12. The right wing 3 further comprises a lower recess 32. The recess 32 comprises a vertical portion 321 and a horizontal portion 322. A threaded hole 33 is formed through the recess 32. An elongate groove 4 is formed under the alignment device 1 defined by the left wing 2 and the right wing 3.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a mounting of the alignment device 1 onto an LCD A and a frame C for aligning the LCD A with the frame C in the manufacturing process will now be described in detail below. As illustrated, two elongated brackets B of L section are placed at both sides of the rectangular LCD A. Each bracket B has two spaced apart threaded holes B1 on its horizontal section. The rectangular frame C has a rectangular central opening slightly smaller than the LCD A. The frame C further comprises two spaced nuts C1 at either side and three spaced nuts C2 at a front side. A distance between two adjacent nuts C2 is about the same as that between two adjacent threaded holes 11, i.e., the nuts C2 are aligned with the threaded holes 11. Also, the diameter of the threaded hole 11 is slightly larger than the bore of the nut C2. The depth of groove 4 is about equal to the thickness of the frame C. Further, the groove 4 is shaped to conform to a front edge of the frame C. In assembly, first drive a bolt D into the rear threaded hole B1 and the nut C1 at either side for initially fastening the LCD A onto the central opening of the frame C. Then align the threaded holes 11 with the nuts C2 prior to mounting the alignment device 1 on front sides of the LCD A and the frame C with the nuts C2 inserted into the threaded holes 11 for alignment. As shown, a front edge A1 of the LCD A is engaged with the elongate flat section 12. Further, the vertical section 21 of the left wing 2 is abutted on one side A2 of the LCD A and a vertical portion B2 of one bracket B. Similarly, the vertical section 31 and the vertical portion 321 of the right wing 3 are abutted on the other side A3 of the LCD A and a vertical portion B3 of the other bracket B. Front top portions of the brackets B are pressed by the horizontal portion 222 of the left wing 2 and the horizontal portion 322 of the right wing 3 for further securing the LCD A to the frame C. After all components have been aligned, drive another two bolts D through the threaded holes 23, 33 into the nuts C1 respectively for further fastening the LCD A onto the central opening of the frame C. This finishes the task of fastening the LCD A and the frame C with precise alignment. Thereafter, the alignment device 1 can be removed.

[0014] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanism for aligning a rectangular LCD with a rectangular frame in a manufacturing process, the mechanism comprising: alignment means comprising an elongate body, a plurality of apertures through the body for aligning with the frame, and a flat section perpendicular to a top surface of the body; a left wing coupled to and perpendicular to a left side of the alignment means and comprising a first vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a first lower recess adjacent the first vertical section and including a first horizontal portion; and a right wing coupled to and perpendicular to a right side of the alignment means and comprising a second vertical section on an inner side coupled to the flat section and a second lower recess adjacent the second vertical section and including a second horizontal portion.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an elongate groove under the alignment means defined by the left and the right wings, the groove being shaped to mate with a front side of the frame.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein each of the left and the right wings comprises a threaded hole having a diameter slightly larger than that of a screw for permitting the screw to pass through into the LCD and the frame thereunder. 